Three-dimensional image recording medium

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional image recording medium in which three-dimensional information of a recorded material is recorded precisely and observed more naturally. The linear images of plural parallel-projection images from different directions A to E divided into rectangles are recorded sequentially to divisional recording units of the linear image recording units M 1  to M 8  and in addition, the linear images of divided parallel-projection images from the same direction are recorded sequentially to each divisional recording unit arranged in the same position relative to a lens width direction of each lenticular lens unit L 1  to L 8  corresponding to each linear image recording unit M 1  to M 8  to thereby reproduce a three-dimensional image by combining the linear images of plural parallel-projection images.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/562,474 filed Nov. 22, 2006, which also is based on and claims thebenefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-338771,filed on 24 Nov. 2005, the content of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to three-dimensional image recording mediausing lenticular sheet.

2. Related Art

Three-dimensional printed materials for stereoscopic views, whichconsist of lenticular lenses and linear images of printed parallaximages disposed below the lenticular lenses, have been known in the art.

The width and position of the lenticular lenses and those of the printedsurfaces of conventional three-dimensional printing materials coincidewith each other as shown in FIG. 10. This is favorable for lenses thatprovide frontal views; however, there have been problems of imageoverlap and flicker for lenses that provide views from some angles suchas the edges of the three-dimensional printed materials because parallaximages of adjacent lenses are also visible.

Also, three-dimensional forms are not recorded precisely on printedsurfaces of conventional three-dimensional printed materials becausethey are based on the idea that images (perspective projection images)taken by common cameras are used as parallax images to show the imagesactually taken by the camera.

A method for recording three-dimensional images and a three-dimensionalimage recording apparatus are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 5-289208 in which the recording positions ofthe linear images, where all linear images of an “n”th original imagerecorded corresponding to each lenticular lens fall within the same areaat a predetermined viewing position, are calculated with respect to eachlenticular lens for all linear images of the “n”th original image, andthe recording positions of the linear images in the image forming unitsare determined based on the above calculation result. It is possible forthis kind of three-dimensional image recording apparatus to preventparallax images from being visible through adjacent lenses even at theedges of the three-dimensional printed materials.

However, the above apparatus may still have a problem wherein theadjacent linear images may still be unintentionally visible because ofsome misalignments of the recording positions and viewing positions(observing positions). Moreover, the three-dimensional image recordingapparatus is also based on the idea that photographed images are shownas similar to conventional apparatuses, and recorded materials are notreproduced precisely and the images may give discomfort to viewersbecause unwanted linear images are also visible. Furthermore, the abovethree-dimensional recording apparatus also has a problem in that thecalculation of the recording positions of linear images requires extraeffort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide athree-dimensional image recording medium in which three-dimensionalinformation of a recorded material is recorded precisely to show animage more naturally.

The following constitutions are provided to solve the above-mentionedproblems.

The first aspect of the present invention contains lenticular sheets (Land 2L) in which plural lenticular lens units (L0 to L9) are arranged,and linear image recording media (M and 2M) in which plural linear imagerecording units (M1 to M8 and 2M0 to 2M9), each are disposed on the backside of the above lenticular lens units (L0 to L9). The linear imagerecording units (M1 to M8 and 2M0 to 2M9) have divisional recordingunits disposed by dividing the recording units. The linear images (A1 toE1, etc.) of the directional images divided into rectangles, which areeither plural parallel-projection images from different directions ortwo-dimensional images parallel-projected to a predefined direction, arerecorded sequentially in the divisional recording units. The linearimages (A1 to A8, etc.) of the divided parallel-projection images ordivided directional images from the same direction are recordedsequentially to each divisional recording unit (M1 to M8 and 2M0 to 2M9)arranged in the same position relative to the lens width direction ofeach lenticular lens unit corresponding to each linear image recordingunit of the linear image recording media (M and 2M). Thethree-dimensional image recording medium is characterized by being ableto provide a three-dimensional image by combining linear images ofplural parallel-projection images or directional images at the viewingposition.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensionalimage recording medium is characterized by linear image recording units(M1 to M8 and 2M0 to 2M9) in which linear images (A1 to E1, etc.) ofdivided parallel-projection images or divided directional images withwhich parallax angles from the front direction are sequentially enlargedfrom the center to the edges of each corresponding lenticular lens unit(L0 to L9) are recorded sequentially in the three-dimensional imagerecording medium described in the first aspect of the present invention.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensionalimage recording medium is characterized by linear image recording media(M and 2M) in which the linear images (A1 to A8, etc.) of theparallel-projection images or the directional images from the samedirection divided respectively from the center to the edges thereof arerecorded sequentially to each divisional recording unit arranged in thesame position relative to a lens width direction of each lenticular lensunit (L0 to L9) corresponding to each linear image recording unit (M1 toM8 and 2M0 to 2M9) from the center to the edges of the linear imagerecording media (M and 2M) in the three-dimensional image recordingmedium described in the second aspect of the present invention.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensionalimage recording medium is characterized by linear image recording units(2M0 to 2M9) disposed in an observing and recording area (D2, etc.)where a light beam moving through the lenticular lens units (L0 to L9)toward the observing position accords with the area of the observingposition, and the linear images (Z1, Y1 and X1, etc.), that are eitherdivided parallel-projection images or directional images with largerparallax angles, are recorded sequentially to the divisional recordingunits of an area where observing and recording area (D2, etc.) and therecording area within a lens width of the lenticular lens units (2M0,etc.) placed next to the linear image recording units overlap with eachother in the three-dimensional image recording medium described in thethird aspect of the present invention.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensionalimage recording medium is characterized by linear image recording units(M1 to M8 and 2M0 to 2M9) disposed within an area where straight linesdrawn between the observing position and both edges of the lenticularlens units (L0 to L9) intersect with the linear image recording medium(2M) in the three-dimensional image recording medium described in thethird or fourth aspects of the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, the following advantages areoffered.

(1) Because linear images of the parallel-projection images ordirectional images of a recorded material are recorded in the linearimage recording medium, three-dimensional information of the recordedmaterial can be printed more precisely and in addition,three-dimensional images can be obtained by combining linear images ofplural parallel-projection images or directional images, enabling therecorded material to be reproduced more truly and naturally.

(2) In the present invention, the linear images of dividedparallel-projection images or directional images with which parallaxangles from the front direction are sequentially enlarged from thecenter to the edges of each lenticular lens unit corresponding to thelinear image recording units are recorded sequentially. Morespecifically, instead of a positional relationship between thelenticular lens units and the observing position, the linear images fromthe front direction are recorded at the center of the lenticular lensunits of the linear image recording units, and the linear images withwhich parallax angles are sequentially enlarged toward the edges of thelens are recorded. This enables the three-dimensional information fromeach direction of the recorded material to be recorded withoutcomplicated calculations.

(3) In the present invention, the linear images of theparallel-projection images or directional images from the same directiondivided respectively from the center to the edges thereof are recordedsequentially at each divisional recording unit arranged in the sameposition relative to the lens width direction of each lenticular lensunit corresponding to each linear image recording unit from the centerto the edges of the linear image recording media. This allows thethree-dimensional information of the recorded material from the abovedirection (the same direction) to be divided and recorded to each linearimage recording unit.

(4) In the present invention, the linear image recording units aredisposed in an area within the lens width of the lenticular lens unitsarranged next to the linear image recording units, and the linear imagesthat are either divided parallel-projection images or directional imageswith larger parallax angles, are recorded sequentially in the abovearea. This enables the recorded materials to be reproduced morenaturally because image flicker, etc. are prevented even when therecording units on the back side of the lenticular lens units next toeach linear image recording unit are also observed from the observingposition because linear images with larger parallax angles are recorded.

(5) In the present invention, because the linear image recording unitsare disposed within an area where straight lines drawn between theobserving position and both edges of the lenticular lens units intersectwith the linear image recording medium (2M), the linear image recordingunits placed on the edges of the sheet can also give true light beaminformation, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are view describing Example 1 of the three-dimensionalprinted material according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the three-dimensional printed materialof Example 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show cross sections of the parallel-projection image ofthe recorded material and the three-dimensional printed material ofExample 1;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are view showing the three-dimensional printedmaterial 1 of Example 1 being observed;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a direction of the parallel-projection image ofExample 2 according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the parallel-projection image of Example 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross section of the three-dimensional printed material ofExample 2;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are view showing the directional image of Example 3according to the present invention;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are view showing the directional image of Example3; and

FIG. 10 is a cross section of a conventional three-dimensional printedmaterial.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention, which is to provide athree-dimensional image recording medium in which three-dimensionalinformation of a recorded material is recorded precisely to show animage more naturally, is accomplished by recording linear images thatare plural parallel-projection images from different directions dividedinto rectangles onto the divisional recording units of the linear imagerecording units sequentially, and further recording linear images thatare divided parallel-projection images or divided directional imagesfrom the same direction to each divisional recording unit arranged inthe same position relative to a lens width direction of each lenticularlens unit corresponding to each linear image recording unitsequentially, and then creating a three-dimensional image by combiningthe linear images of plural parallel-projection images.

Example 1

A three-dimensional printed material (three-dimensional image recordingmedium) of the present invention will be further described in detail byway of Example 1, referring to the following figures, etc.

First, the properties of a three-dimensional printed material 1 of theExample 1 will be described.

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 are views describing the three-dimensional printedmaterial 1 of the Example 1.

The three-dimensional printed material 1 is equipped with a lenticularsheet L and a linear image recording medium M as shown in FIG. 1A.

Identically shaped plural lenticular lens units L1 to L8 are arranged inthe lenticular sheet L.

The linear image recording medium M is disposed on the back side of theentire surface of the lenticular sheet L and linear image recordingunits M1 to M8 are arranged therein. Light beam information is recordedonto the linear image recording medium M by printing. These linear imagerecording units M1 to M8 are disposed on the back side of the lenticularlens units L1 to L8 respectively.

The light beam information (three-dimensional information) of theparallel-projection images from obliquely upward left positions P1 to P8of a cubic recorded material O as shown in FIG. 1B is recorded to theprinting positions Q1 to Q8 of each linear image recording unit M1 to M8that are identically positioned relative to each lenticular lens unit L1to L8. The traveling directions of all light beams moving from theprinting positions Q1 to Q8 of each linear image recording unit M1 to M8through lenticular lens units L1 to L8 are constant because lenticularlens units L1 to L8 have identical shapes. Accordingly,three-dimensional information is recorded precisely in each linear imagerecording unit M1 to M8 by printing the light beam information ofparallel-projection images of positions P1 to P8 of the recordedmaterial from the above directions to the printing positions Q1 to Q8and the three-dimensional information identical to the original materialcan be reproduced.

Meanwhile, incoming and outgoing light beams through the surfaces of thelenticular lens units L1 to L8 are refracted in practice; however, herethey are simplified and expressed as straight lines.

The light beam information of the parallel-projection images from thefront direction is recorded to the center positions C1 to C8 of eachlinear image recording unit M1 to M8 and all light beams moving throughthe lenticular lens units L1 to L8 progress in the front direction asshown in FIG. 2.

As described above, three-dimensional information of the recordedmaterial O can be recorded precisely in the three-dimensional printedmaterial 1 by recording the light beam information of theparallel-projection images from obliquely upward left and frontdirections, and the three-dimensional information identical to theoriginal material can be reproduced.

Next, the composition of the three-dimensional printed material 1 willbe described in detail.

FIG. 3A shows parallel-projection images from five different directions(directions A to E) of the recorded material O, and FIG. 3B shows across section of the three-dimensional printed material 1.

The direction C is an upward front direction of the recorded material O,directions B and D are leftward and rightward directions of thedirection C, and directions A and E are further leftward and rightwarddirections of the direction C as shown in FIG. 3B. Theparallel-projection images of the directions A to E are divided intoeight rectangles, the linear images A1 to A8 through the linear imagesE1 to E8 respectively.

The linear image recording units M1 to M8 have divisional recordingunits disposed by dividing each recording unit into five portions asshown in FIG. 3B.

A linear image C1, a divided parallel-projection image from the frontdirection C is recorded to a divisional recording unit of the linearimage recording units M1 in the center of each corresponding lenticularlens L1. The linear images B1 and A1, divided parallel-projection imagesfrom the directions B and A, with which parallax angles from the frontdirection C are enlarged sequentially from the center of the lenticularlens unit L1 corresponding to the linear image recording unit M1 to thedivisional recording unit of the left-hand side, are recordedsequentially. Similarly, the linear images D1 and E1, with whichparallax angles from the front direction C are enlarged sequentiallyfrom the center of the lens to the right-hand side of the lens, arerecorded sequentially.

In a similar manner, the linear images A2 to E2 through A8 to E8 arerecorded to the divisional recording units of each linear imagerecording unit M2 to M8 respectively.

The linear images, parallel-projection images from the same directiondivided from the center to the edges thereof are recorded sequentiallyto each divisional recording unit arranged in the same position withrespect to the lens width direction of each lenticular lens unit L1 toL8 corresponding to each linear image recording unit M1 to M8 from thecenter to the edges of the linear image recording medium M byimplementing the above recording procedure. More specifically, linearimages C4 to C1, parallel-projection images from the front direction C,which is the same direction, divided from the center to the edgesthereof are recorded respectively to the divisional recording units inthe center (in identical positions) of the linear image recording unitsM4 to M1, for example. Similarly, linear images A4 to A1 of theparallel-projection image from the direction A where the parallax angleto the leftward is largest, which is divided from the center to theedges thereof, are recorded to each divisional recording unit (identicalpositions) of the left edge of the lens.

Moreover, light beams emitted from each lenticular lens unit M1 to M8are converted to light beam information identical to the originalmaterial and sent to the observing position. For example, theinformation recorded in the linear image recording unit M3 is sent as alight beam which moves toward each direction through the lenticular lensunit L3 as shown in FIG. 3B to be reproduced as light beam informationhaving a shape identical to the original material.

Meanwhile, the directions of the parallel-projection images and thenumbers of the divisional recording units are simplified and describedas five directions and five portions; however, the directions and thenumbers are not limited to the above and may be changed suitablyaccording to the size of the lenticular lens units and recordedmaterials.

Furthermore, the recording units of the lenticular lens units areexemplified as being divided into five portions in Example 1, however,when the recording units are divided into an even number of portions,linear images of parallel-projection images having parallax angles inleft and light sides instead of the parallel-projection images from thefront direction are recorded to two divisional recording units in thecenter of the lens.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show the three-dimensional printed material 1 asbeing observed from an observing position V in the center.

The three-dimensional information of the linear images A2, B3, D6 and E7of the linear image recording units M2, M3, M6 and M7 are reproduced aslight beam information through the light beams moving toward theobserving position V through each lenticular lens unit L2, L3, L6 andL7. The information of the linear images B4 or C4 of the linear imagerecording unit M4, which is the center unit of the linear imagerecording medium M, is reproduced at the observing position. Similarly,the information of the linear images C5 or D5 of the linear imagerecording unit M5, which is the center unit of the linear imagerecording medium M, is reproduced. Moreover, the light beams movingthrough the lenticular lens units L1 and L8 are not observed at theobserving position V because they are from outside of the linear imagerecording medium M. Meanwhile, “the center unit of the linear imagerecording medium M” is defined as the center and periphery of the linearimage recording medium M.

In the three-dimensional printed material 1 as described above, thelinear images of the parallel-projection images of the recorded materialO are reproduced as light beam information by means of the lenticularsheet L and the linear image recording medium M, and the light beaminformation is combined to create a perspective projection image of therecorded material O at the observing position V as shown in FIG. 4C.This is similar to the reproduction of actual light beam information onthe three-dimensional printing material 1 by means of the lenticularsheet L and the linear image recording medium M.

In addition, one of the linear images B4 and C4 of the linear imagerecording unit M4 placed in the center of the linear image recordingmedium M is observed from the observing position V due to themicroscopic difference in the observing positions. Similarly, one of thelinear images C5 and D5 of the linear image recording unit M5 placed inthe center of the linear image recording medium M is observed. Even inthe above cases, the recorded material O can be reproduced morenaturally while reducing flicker and blurring because the recordedmaterial O is reproduced by combining the linear images of differentparallel-projection images in the three-dimensional printed material 1.In other words, when plural images are divided, recorded and one of theimages are combined to be reproduced, and if the image informationrecorded next to the images being reproduced is observed, the reproducedimage may give discomfort to viewers because the information differsfrom the one intended. However, because the recorded material O isreproduced in the three-dimensional printed material 1 as aperspective-projection image by combining the linear images of theparallel-projection images from different directions, connectionsbetween adjacent light beam information are smoothened and imageflicker, etc. as described above can be prevented.

As described above, the three-dimensional information of the recordedmaterial O can be recorded more precisely in the three-dimensionalprinted material 1 of Example 1 because linear image recording units M1to M8 have divisional recording units disposed by dividing the recordingunits, and the linear images A1 to E1, etc., which are pluralparallel-projection images from different directions A to E divided intorectangles, are recorded sequentially to the divisional recording units.Moreover, the three-dimensional image combined linear images of pluralparallel-projection images can be obtained and the recorded material Ocan be reproduced more truly because the linear images which are dividedparallel-projection images from the same direction are recordedsequentially to each divisional recording unit arranged in the sameposition relative to the lens width directions of each lenticular lensunits L1 to L8 corresponding to each linear image recording units M1 toM8 of the linear image recording medium M.

The linear images (B1, A1, D1 and E1, etc.) of the parallel-projectionimages divided respectively, with which parallax angles from the frontdirection C are enlarged sequentially from the center to the edges ofthe lenticular lens units (L1, etc.), are recorded sequentially to thelinear image recording units (M1, etc.).

In other words, the three-dimensional information from each direction ofthe recorded material O can be recorded without complicated calculationsbecause the linear images from the front direction are recorded in thecenter of each corresponding lenticular lens unit L1 to L8 and thelinear images with which parallax angles are enlarged sequentially tothe edges of the lens are recorded to each linear image recording unitM1 to M8.

Furthermore, the linear images of the parallel-projection image from thesame direction divided from the center to the edges thereof are recordedsequentially to each divisional recording unit disposed on the sameposition relative to the lens width direction of the lenticular lensunits L1 to L8 corresponding to the linear image recording units M1 toM8 from the center to the edges of the linear image recording medium M,thereby enabling the three-dimensional information of the recordedmaterial O from the above direction to be divided and recorded to eachlinear image recording unit M1 to M8.

Example 2

Example 2 of the three-dimensional printed material (three-dimensionalimage recording medium) according to the present invention will bedescribed.

A three-dimensional printed material 2 of Example 2 has divisionalrecording units of each lenticular lens unit that are extended to theback of the lenticular lens unit disposed in the immediate vicinity.

Meanwhile, the parts which function similarly to Example 1 describedabove are given the same names as in Example 1 and overlappingdescriptions are omitted.

First, parallel-projection images and linear images used in Example 2are described.

FIG. 5 shows the projection direction of the parallel-projection imageof a recorded material O and FIG. 6 shows the producedparallel-projection images.

The images in 13 directions in total are used as the parallel-projectionimages of the three-dimensional printed material 2 of Example 2 with theaddition of eight directions (directions Z to W and F to I) with whichparallax angles are larger than other five directions (directions A toE) of Example 1 as shown in FIG. 5. Each parallel-projection image isproduced from a position determined by rotating a constant rotatingdiameter at a constant angle around a predefined position as a centerwhich is obliquely the upper side of the recorded material O. Theproduction methods include a predefined method in which aparallel-projection image is photographed and a method using computergraphics, and the parallel-projection image can be produced more easilyby using computer graphics.

The parallel-projection images produced in 13 directions as shown inFIG. 6 are divided by 10 in rectangles respectively to produce linearimages W0 to W9 through I0 to I9.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the three-dimensional printed material2.

Straight lines are extended from the center of a lens sheet 2L, which isan observing position, to both edges of each lenticular lens unit L0 toL9 and the area where the straight lines intersect with the linear imagerecording medium 2M is determined as a recording unit and in addition,the lower layers of the lenticular lens units in the immediate vicinityare also determined as the recording units of the linear image recordingunits 2M0 to 2M9 of the three-dimensional printed material 2. In otherwords, each linear image recording unit 2M0 to 2M9 is disposed in therecording unit (observing and recording area) in which light beamsmoving through each lenticular lens unit L0 to L9 toward the observingposition satisfy the area of the observing position. The linear imagesthat are divided parallel-projection images with larger parallax anglesare recorded sequentially to divisional recording units in the areawhere the observing and recording area and the recording area within thelens width R0 of the lenticular lens unit disposed in the immediatevicinity overlap with each other.

For example, a parallax image Z4 on the left side and a parallax imageF5 on the right side are added to the linear images consisting of fiveparallax images of each lenticular lens unit L4 and L5 in the centerrespectively.

The linear images Z1, Y1 and X1, the divided parallel-projection imageswith parallax angles larger than that of linear image A1 are recordedsequentially to a divisional recording unit of an area where theobserving and recording area D2 and the recording area within the lenswidth of the lenticular lens unit L0 disposed on the immediate left ofthe observing and recording area D2 overlap with each other in thelinear image recording unit 2M1.

Similarly, the linear images F8, G8 and H8, the dividedparallel-projection image with parallax angles larger than that oflinear image E8 are recorded sequentially to the back side of thelenticular lens unit L9 disposed on the immediate right in the linearimage recording unit 2M8.

By disposing the recording units as described above, it is possible toprevent observation of the information of the linear image recordingunit and the lenticular lens unit in the immediate vicinity, therebypreventing image flicker and overlapping and in addition, light beaminformation can be obtained precisely from the linear image recordingunits 2M0 and 2M9, which are the edges of the sheet.

Meanwhile, some linear images produced and contained in theparallel-projection images such as linear images C0 and C9, for example,may not be recorded in the three-dimensional printed material 2 inExample 2.

As described above, the linear image recording units (2M1, etc.) aredisposed in the observing and recording area (D2, etc.) which accordwith the area of the observing position in the three-dimensional printedmaterial 2 of Example 2, and the linear images (Z1, Y1 and X1, etc.) ofthe divided parallel-projection images with larger parallax angles arerecorded sequentially to divisional recording units in the area wherethe observing and recording area and the recording area within a lenswidth (R0, etc.) of the lenticular lens unit (L0, etc.) disposed next tothe observing and recording area overlap with each other.

This enables the three-dimensional information to be expressed truly andthe recorded material O to be expressed more naturally even when therecording units on the back of the lenticular lens units in theimmediate vicinity of each linear image recording unit L1 to L8 are alsoobserved.

Example 3

Next, Example 3 of a three-dimensional printed material(three-dimensional image recording medium) according to the presentinvention will be described.

The directional images are divided and used as linear images in thethree-dimensional printed material of Example 3 instead of using thedivided parallel-projection images as linear images as in Examples 1 and2.

The directional images will be explained below.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show a method for producing directional images fromthe front side of a recorded material O, which corresponds to the imagefrom the direction C as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 8A shows a plan view (topview) of the recorded material O, FIG. 8B shows the recorded material Ofrom the left side and FIG. 8C shows a produced directional image.

A directional image is a two-dimensional image of the recorded materialO parallel projected in the direction of projection plane (predetermineddirection) in the plan view as shown in FIG. 8A. In contrast, the imageof the side view of the recorded material O is perspective-projected tothe projection plane focusing to the center of projection as shown inFIG. 8B. Consequently, the length in the vertical direction of theproduced directional image comes close to the length actually observedwhile the length in the width direction (refer to length “d”) ismaintained as shown in FIG. 8C.

FIG. 9A, 9B, and 9C show an example in which a directional image of therecorded material O having a parallax angle of approximately 45 degreesrelative to the front direction, which corresponds to the image from thedirection J as shown in FIG. 5, is produced by a similar method.

The directional image produced as above is an image having perspectivein a vertical direction.

As described above, the three-dimensional printed material of Example 3uses divided directional images as linear images and further provides athree-dimensional image by combining these linear images to therebyallow the recorded material O to be reproduced in three dimensions.

(Example of Shape Variation)

The shapes and modifications thereof are not limited to the Examplesdescribed above and various shapes and modifications are possible, andthese are equally within the scope of the present invention.

(1) Examples in which the parallax images of a recorded material areonly in one direction (horizontal direction) are described in Examples;however, the present invention is not limited to the above Examples. Theparallax images of a recorded material may be in plural directions, ormay be in two directions with the vertical direction added to thehorizontal direction. This allows more detailed light beam informationof the recorded material to be recorded and reproduced. In this case, aset of lenses in which many lenses are arranged flatly, a lens array ora so-called “fly's eye lens” may be used.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been describedand illustrated above, it is to be understood that they are exemplary ofthe invention and are not to be considered to be limiting. Additions,omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made theretowithout departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered to be limited by theforegoing description and is only limited by the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A three-dimensional image recording medium, comprising: a lenticularsheet and a plurality of lenticular lens units arranged in thelenticular sheet; and a linear image recording medium comprising aplurality of linear image recording units being positioned,respectively, on a back side of each of the lenticular lens units; eachof the linear recording units comprising a plurality of divisionalrecording units; and a plurality of projection images of an objectrecorded sequentially onto respective ones of the divisional recordingunits, wherein each of the plurality of projection images is an image ofthe object viewed from a different direction and wherein each of saidprojection images is divided into rectangular subsections of the image;wherein said rectangular subsections of respective ones of the imagesare recorded sequentially onto each of the divisional recording units aslinear images, arranged in an identical position relative to a lenswidth direction of each of the lenticular lens units; wherein saidprojection images are projection images of plural directional imagesfrom the different directions, wherein the images recorded in therecording medium are combined at an observing position to obtain athree-directional image, wherein and the directional image is an imageparallel projected in the lens width direction and perspective projectedin a direction perpendicular to the lens width direction.